A display device includes a display panel configured to be driven in an initial mode or in a main mode; an input sensing part on the display panel and configured to be driven in a mutual sensing mode or in a self-sensing mode; a fingerprint sensing part below the display panel; and a control module configured to control operations of the display panel, the input sensing part, and the fingerprint sensing part. The display panel is between the fingerprint sensing part and the input sensing part. When the display panel is driven in the initial mode, the control module drives the input sensing part in the self-sensing mode and controls the fingerprint sensing part to detect a fingerprint touched on the input sensing part.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A driving method of a display device, the driving method comprising: driving a display panel in an initial mode; driving an input sensing part in a self-sensing mode during the driving of the display panel in the initial mode; detecting a touch of a fingerprint by the input sensing part; controlling a fingerprint sensing part to detect the fingerprint; driving the display panel in a main mode in response to determining that a detected fingerprint is coincident with stored fingerprint information; and driving the input sensing part in a mutual sensing mode in response to the determining that the detected fingerprint is coincident with the stored fingerprint information, wherein based on position information of the fingerprint, a first part of the display panel is driven and a second part of the display panel is not driven, the first part overlaps the fingerprint, and the second part is around the first part.
2. The driving method of claim 1 , wherein detecting the touch of the fingerprint includes calculating the position information of the fingerprint based on touch information of the fingerprint, and controlling the fingerprint sensing part includes driving a portion of the fingerprint sensing part based on the position information of the fingerprint, the portion of the fingerprint sensing part overlapping the fingerprint.
This invention relates to an improved method for driving a fingerprint sensing system to enhance efficiency and accuracy. The method addresses the problem of excessive power consumption and processing overhead in conventional fingerprint sensing systems, which typically activate the entire sensing array regardless of the fingerprint's position. The invention solves this by selectively activating only the portion of the sensing array that overlaps the detected fingerprint, reducing unnecessary power usage and computational load. The method involves detecting a touch input corresponding to a fingerprint and calculating the position of the fingerprint based on the touch information. Once the position is determined, only the relevant portion of the fingerprint sensing array is driven, ensuring that power and processing resources are focused on the area where the fingerprint is located. This selective activation improves energy efficiency and response time while maintaining high sensing accuracy. The approach is particularly useful in mobile devices and other portable electronics where power conservation is critical. The invention may also include additional steps such as adjusting the sensing parameters of the activated portion to optimize fingerprint recognition performance.
3. The driving method of claim 2 , wherein the fingerprint sensing part includes: a plurality of sensing units arranged in a plurality of rows and in a plurality of columns; and a plurality of lines connected to the sensing units, wherein each line of the plurality of lines is connected to sensing units arranged in a corresponding row, and driving the portion of the fingerprint sensing part includes applying a plurality of driving signals to a first group of the plurality of lines that are connected to a first group of sensing units that overlap the fingerprint.
This invention relates to fingerprint sensing technology, specifically a method for driving a fingerprint sensor to improve sensing efficiency and accuracy. The problem addressed is the inefficient use of power and processing resources when scanning a fingerprint, particularly when only a portion of the sensor is needed to capture the relevant fingerprint data. The fingerprint sensing part includes an array of sensing units arranged in multiple rows and columns, with each row connected to a dedicated line. The driving method involves selectively activating only the lines connected to the sensing units that overlap the fingerprint area, rather than driving the entire sensor array. This is achieved by applying driving signals to a first group of lines corresponding to the first group of sensing units that overlap the fingerprint, while the remaining lines and sensing units are not driven. This selective activation reduces power consumption and processing overhead by focusing only on the relevant portion of the sensor. The method ensures that only the necessary sensing units are activated, optimizing the sensor's performance by minimizing unnecessary operations. This approach is particularly useful in applications where power efficiency is critical, such as mobile devices or wearable electronics. The selective driving of the sensor array improves both energy efficiency and processing speed, as the system does not waste resources on areas of the sensor that do not contain fingerprint data.
4. The driving method of claim 3 , wherein the fingerprint sensing part further includes a plurality of common lines connected to the lines, wherein a second group of the plurality of lines are connected in common to a corresponding common line, the second group of lines being connected to a second group of sensing units arranged in h number of rows, wherein h is a natural number equal to or greater than 2.
A fingerprint sensing system includes a fingerprint sensing part with multiple lines and sensing units arranged in rows. The system addresses the challenge of efficiently capturing fingerprint data by optimizing the electrical connections between sensing units and readout circuitry. The fingerprint sensing part includes a plurality of lines, each connected to a sensing unit that detects fingerprint features. To improve signal routing and reduce complexity, the system incorporates common lines that group multiple lines together. Specifically, a second group of lines, each connected to a sensing unit in one of h rows (where h is at least 2), are connected in common to a corresponding common line. This grouping reduces the number of individual connections required, simplifying the design and improving manufacturing efficiency. The system may also include a driving circuit that controls the sensing units and processes the captured fingerprint data. The arrangement ensures reliable signal transmission while minimizing wiring complexity, making the system suitable for compact and high-resolution fingerprint sensors.
5. The driving method of claim 1 , wherein detecting the fingerprint includes detecting a plurality of fingerprints.
A method for driving a display device addresses the challenge of accurately detecting and authenticating user input, particularly in environments where multiple fingerprints may be present. The method involves detecting a plurality of fingerprints on a touch-sensitive display surface, where each fingerprint corresponds to a different user or input source. The system captures and analyzes these fingerprints to distinguish between them, ensuring that only authorized or intended inputs are processed. This is particularly useful in multi-user scenarios or when distinguishing between intentional touch inputs and accidental contacts. The method may involve comparing detected fingerprints against stored templates to verify identity or intent, enhancing security and usability. By detecting multiple fingerprints simultaneously, the system improves accuracy in distinguishing between overlapping or concurrent inputs, reducing errors in touch-based interactions. The method may also include preprocessing steps to enhance fingerprint clarity, such as noise reduction or contrast adjustment, before performing the detection and analysis. This approach ensures reliable fingerprint recognition even in challenging conditions, such as low-light environments or when the display surface is partially obscured. The overall system integrates fingerprint detection with display driving circuitry to provide seamless and secure user interaction.
6. The driving method of claim 1 , wherein the input sensing part includes: a first sensing electrode; and a second sensing electrode that is insulated from the first sensing electrode and crosses the first sensing electrode, wherein, when the input sensing part is driven in the self-sensing mode, the first sensing electrode is operated as a driving electrode and as a sensing electrode, and wherein, when the input sensing part is driven in the mutual sensing mode, the first sensing electrode is operated as the driving electrode and the second sensing electrode is operated as the sensing electrode.
This invention relates to a driving method for an input sensing part in a touch-sensitive device, addressing the need for flexible operation between self-sensing and mutual-sensing modes. The input sensing part includes a first sensing electrode and a second sensing electrode that is insulated from and crosses the first sensing electrode. In self-sensing mode, the first sensing electrode functions both as a driving electrode and a sensing electrode, allowing for simplified signal detection by the same electrode. In mutual-sensing mode, the first sensing electrode acts as the driving electrode while the second sensing electrode operates as the sensing electrode, enabling more precise touch detection through capacitive coupling between the two electrodes. The method dynamically switches between these modes to optimize performance based on application requirements, such as balancing power efficiency and detection accuracy. This dual-mode approach enhances versatility in touch-sensitive devices, including displays and touchpads, by adapting to different sensing needs without requiring structural changes to the electrode layout. The invention improves touch sensitivity and reduces complexity in manufacturing by reusing the same electrode for multiple functions in self-sensing mode.
7. The driving method of claim 1 , wherein the fingerprint sensing part includes an optical sensor or a supersonic sensor.
The invention relates to a driving method for a display device with integrated fingerprint sensing capabilities. The technology addresses the challenge of efficiently and accurately capturing fingerprint data while maintaining display functionality. The method involves driving a display panel to perform both display and fingerprint sensing operations. The display panel includes a fingerprint sensing part that can be implemented using an optical sensor or a supersonic sensor. The optical sensor detects fingerprint patterns by analyzing light reflections, while the supersonic sensor uses ultrasonic waves to capture fingerprint data. The driving method coordinates the display and sensing functions to ensure that fingerprint data is accurately captured without disrupting the display's visual output. This approach enhances security and user convenience by integrating fingerprint authentication directly into the display panel, eliminating the need for separate fingerprint sensors. The method optimizes the timing and signal processing to ensure reliable fingerprint recognition while maintaining high-quality display performance. This solution is particularly useful in smartphones, tablets, and other devices where space efficiency and seamless user interaction are critical.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
June 3, 2020
April 5, 2022
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.